RUSTON - Louisiana Tech fans planning to tailgate prior to the Bulldogs home opener against Lamar on Saturday, Sept. 7 can plan their menu around barbecue chicken and their favorite sides.

Head coach Skip Holtz and the Bulldogs will kickoff against the Cardinals at 6 p.m. that day but the festivities around Joe Aillet Stadium start much earlier as tailgating continues to grow around Louisiana Tech home games.

During each of the Bulldogs five home games in Ruston during the season judges made up of Louisiana Tech student-athletes will walk through the tailgating areas and judge the best prepared food, the best decorations and the largest group. Members of the Bulldog basketball team will be judging these categories for the Lamar game.

The Ruston Brick Kids Zone is also a big part of the pregame festivities at Joe Aillet Stadium. Located on the southeast hill outside of the Thomas Assembly Center, the Ruston Brick Kids Zone will open three hours prior to kickoff each week and will contain inflatables, games and much more.

Fans are also reminded that although open tailgating will still exist around the Thomas Assembly Center, vehicles will not be allowed to enter those areas starting three hours before kickoff. Vehicles will also be strictly prohibited from entering the area around the Thomas Assembly Center stairs as well as the Ruston Brick Kids Zone area which is located on the southeast hill of the TAC. These areas will be marked with signs and ropes and will be monitored by security personnel.

As tailgating at Joe Aillet Stadium has become a way of life for Bulldog fans with the addition of the Argent Pavilion, Tailgate Alley, the Kids Zone, the Walk of Pride and many more game-day traditions, traffic around these areas has also increased. Tech officials are simply striving to protect their fans and visitors to Ruston on gameday.

Joe Aillet Stadium gates will open two hours prior to kickoff this year. Due to increased Homeland Security mandates for athletic stadiums across the country, fans should know that all bags are subject to search on entrance into Joe Aillet Stadium.

LA Tech season tickets and single game tickets to the Heart of Dallas Classic against Army at the Cotton Bowl Sept. 28 are also on sale and can be purchased by contacting the Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631 or emailing techtickets@latech.edu. The Tech Ticket Office is located in the Thomas Assembly Center and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fans can also purchase tickets at LATechSports.com.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow @LATechFB on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.